Book Club Questions for Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney

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Book club questions for Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney explore the themes of trust, deception, and the limits of love.

This domestic thriller follows the story of Adam and Amelia Wright, a couple who have been married for ten years and are struggling to keep their relationship alive. When they win a weekend trip to Scotland, they see it as a chance to rekindle their love, but things quickly take a dark turn. Adam, a screenwriter with face blindness, and Amelia, who writes him letters every year that he’s never allowed to read, are both hiding secrets.

As they navigate the treacherous landscape of their marriage, they begin to realize that someone is out to get them. With its unexpected twists and turns, Rock Paper Scissors will keep you on the edge of your seat until the very end.

Feeney expertly weaves together a tale of deceit and betrayal that will leave you questioning everything you thought you knew. With her trademark twists and turns, she keeps you guessing until the very end, ensuring that this book will be a thrilling and thought-provoking read.

As we discuss this book, we will explore its themes, examine the characters and their motivations, and debate the choices they make and the consequences they face.

So, grab your copy of Rock Paper Scissors, get ready to share your thoughts and opinions, and let’s dive into this exciting thriller together!

I hope you will enjoy my book book club discussion questions for Rock Paper Scissors. ✨

The Synopsis

Things have been wrong with Mr and Mrs Wright for a long time. When Adam and Amelia win a weekend away to Scotland, it might be just what their marriage needs. Self-confessed workaholic and screenwriter Adam Wright has lived with face blindness his whole life. He can’t recognize friends or family, or even his own wife.

Every anniversary the couple exchange traditional gifts–paper, cotton, pottery, tin–and each year Adam’s wife writes him a letter that she never lets him read. Until now. They both know this weekend will make or break their marriage, but they didn’t randomly win this trip. One of them is lying, and someone doesn’t want them to live happily ever after.

Ten years of marriage. Ten years of secrets. And an anniversary they will never forget.

Rock Paper Scissors is the latest exciting domestic thriller from the queen of the killer twist, New York Times bestselling author Alice Feeney.

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Selected Reviews for Rock Paper Scissors

“Chilling and clever, with a twist so sharp you’ll get whiplash. Rock Paper Scissors is the kind of blistering, one-sit-read that Alice Feeney is just so incredibly good at.” ―Chris Whitaker

“This one’s already been optioned, but I’d encourage everyone to read it before it heads to the screen…The two dovetail towards an explosive conclusion that leaves us with just enough ambiguity to linger in the reader’s mind long after finishing.”―CrimeReads

“Marriage has never been so disturbing…or so compelling. Alice Feeney has written a staggering novel filled with tension, suspense, and an ending that will leave you flabbergasted. You think you know where it’s going, but you have no idea.” ―Samantha Downing

“This complicated gothic thriller of dueling spouses and homicidal writers is cleverly plotted and neatly tied up.”―Kirkus

Book Club Questions for Rock Paper Scissors

Spoiler alert: my book club questions may contain spoilers, so make sure to discuss them after you’ve finished reading.

The opening line of the novel, “My husband doesn’t recognize my face,” introduces Adam’s condition of prosopagnosia, or face blindness. Were you familiar with this condition before reading the book? In what ways did Adam’s neurological glitch impact the plot and themes of the story? Did you find the depiction of prosopagnosia accurate and compelling? How did this condition affect Adam’s relationships with other characters, including his wife?
How does Adam’s prosopagnosia impact his relationship with Amelia?
In Rock Paper Scissors, the concept that “Marriages don’t fail, people do” is central to the plot. As both Adam and Amelia are unreliable narrators, the reader is left questioning whose side to take. At the beginning of the novel, were you initially more sympathetic towards Adam or Amelia? What led you to change your mind, if at all? Did your perception of the characters shift as the story progressed? Can we ever really trust the perspective of an unreliable narrator?
Throughout the novel, letters written by Amelia to Adam on their anniversary each year are revealed. Each letter features a “word of the year,” such as “hornswoggling” or “biblioklept.” These letters provide insight into the couple’s past and present relationship. Which word of the year resonated with you the most and why? How did the letters enhance your understanding of the characters and their motivations? Do you believe that the language we use can reveal our innermost desires and feelings?
Alice Feeney is a highly acclaimed author, known for her gripping and suspenseful thrillers that keep readers on the edge of their seats. If you’ve read any of Feeney’s other works, such as Sometimes I Lie, I Know Who You Are, or His & Hers, which of her books did you enjoy the most, and why? How does Rock Paper Scissors compare to her other works in terms of style, tone, and themes?
Discuss the significance of the smiley face pennies and the Jack-in-the-Box toy in the secret room. How do these objects add to the overall mystery and atmosphere of the story?
How does the history of Blackwater Chapel as a witches’ prison contribute to the themes of the novel, such as guilt, sin, and redemption?
Adam’s superstitious nature is a significant aspect of his character. He believes in luck and carries sentimental objects, such as an old paper crane and a lucky penny. Are you superstitious about anything? How do beliefs in luck and superstition impact our daily lives and decision-making? Can they serve as a coping mechanism in times of uncertainty or distress?
The setting of the novel, a remote chapel in Scotland, is almost a character in itself. How does the location contribute to the story’s atmosphere and overall tone? Could the story have taken place anywhere else?
How does Robin’s backstory and relationship with Henry Winter impact the plot of the novel?
What role does jealousy play in Amelia and Adam’s relationship? How does it contribute to their struggles?
The illustrations at the start of each chapter in Rock Paper Scissors are a unique and striking feature of the novel. These bespoke drawings, which range from abstract sketches to intricate portraits, add an extra layer of depth and complexity to the story, and offer tantalizing hints about what’s to come. Have you ever seen illustrations in a psychological thriller before, and if so, how do they compare to those in Rock Paper Scissors? Which illustration was your favorite, and why did it stand out to you?
Henry Winter, an elderly novelist in the novel, lives in isolation in the Scottish Highlands. Some people prefer solitude, while others thrive in the company of friends and family. What do you think drives individuals to seek out either solitude or companionship? How does this preference impact their relationships and overall happiness? In what ways does Henry’s reclusive nature reflect his past experiences and personality?
Discuss the use of flashbacks throughout the novel. How do they enhance the reader’s understanding of the characters and their motivations?
In Rock Paper Scissors, the game of rock paper scissors takes on a symbolic significance, representing the unpredictable and often arbitrary nature of fate. How does the game play a role in the book, and what does it reveal about the characters and their relationships? To end our discussion, let’s play a quick round of rock paper scissors with whoever is with you right now, whether it’s a friend, family member, or even your pet. What does your victory or defeat reveal about your own personality and approach to life?
Face blindness plays a significant role in the story. How does Adam’s condition impact the events that unfold, and what does it add to the overall story?
From the moment we meet Robin, she appears to be a reliable and trustworthy figure in Adam’s life, providing him with emotional support and assistance. However, as the story progresses, her motives become increasingly unclear, and we begin to question whether she is who she appears to be. What were your first impressions of Robin, and did they change over the course of the novel? How did your perception of her affect your understanding of the story?
Discuss the significance of the number 3 and the color black in Henry’s life, and how they are reflected in his work.
What is the importance of Bob in the story, and how does his disappearance affect the plot?
The characters in this novel are complex and multi-dimensional, each with their own strengths, flaws, and motivations. If you were transported into the world of the novel, which character would you most relate to and why? Would you identify with Adam, with his struggles to make sense of his own identity and past? Or would you find yourself drawn to Amelia, with her fierce independence and determination to protect her family at all costs? Perhaps you would identify with one of the other characters in the book, such as Robin or Henry, with their own unique perspectives on love, relationships, and the human condition.
Adam’s wife believes that keeping secrets is a necessary part of any successful marriage. Do you agree with this statement? Can we ever truly know everything about another person, even those we love the most? How do secrets impact a relationship, and can they ultimately lead to its downfall? In what ways do the characters in Rock Paper Scissors struggle with their own secrets and desires?
The theme of parental influence is prevalent in Rock Paper Scissors. All of the main characters have been impacted by their parents in some way. Why do you think these characters struggled to move on from their past experiences and relationships with their parents? How did these experiences shape their own identities and relationships? Would their lives have been different if they had been able to reconcile with their parents?
The novel is full of twists and turns, but which one stood out to you as the most surprising or impactful? How did this twist enhance your understanding of the story and its themes? Were you able to predict any of the plot twists or were they all unexpected? What do you think the author was trying to convey through these plot twists and turns?
What is the significance of the woman in the red kimono in Adam’s dream, and how does it relate to his mother’s death?
Rock Paper Scissors has been picked up by Netflix for a TV series adaptation, produced by the same team behind hit shows like “The Crown” and “Behind Her Eyes.” What do you think makes the book well-suited for a screen adaptation? Is it the intricate plot, with its unexpected twists and turns? The vivid and atmospheric setting, with its rugged landscapes and remote Scottish village? Or perhaps it’s the complex and relatable characters, with their fears, desires, and flaws?
What is the significance of the news clippings about October O’Brien that Adam finds in the drawer, and how do they relate to the plot?
Bob the dog is a beloved character in the book, and readers are sure to feel a deep emotional connection to this loyal and adorable canine companion. As Feeney herself has noted, she is owned by a black Labrador, and her affection for dogs is evident throughout the book. Were you worried about Bob’s fate as the story unfolded, and did his presence in the book add an extra layer of emotional resonance for you as a reader?
The use of the game Rock, Paper, Scissors is central to the plot. What is the significance of this game, and how does it relate to the characters’ relationships and the events that take place?
How does the author use symbolism throughout the novel, such as the red kimono and the grandfather clock, to create a deeper meaning in the story?
The book is told through multiple perspectives, including Adam, Amelia, Robin, and Amelia’s annual letters to Adam. How does this structure impact the reader’s understanding of the story, and why do you think the author chose to use this approach?
How do the discoveries of Henry’s manuscript and the revelation of his daughter affect the plot of the novel? What new questions do these revelations raise?

Additional Recommendations

Hope you enjoyed book club questions for Rock Paper Scissors by Alice Feeney! Here are some more book recommendations along with their synopses.

The Guest List by Lucy Foley

A wedding celebration turns dark and deadly in this deliciously wicked and atmospheric thriller reminiscent of Agatha Christie from the New York Times bestselling author of The Hunting Party.

The bride – The plus one – The best man – The wedding planner – The bridesmaid – The body

On an island off the coast of Ireland, guests gather to celebrate two people joining their lives together as one. The groom: handsome and charming, a rising television star. The bride: smart and ambitious, a magazine publisher. It’s a wedding for a magazine, or for a celebrity: the designer dress, the remote location, the luxe party favors, the boutique whiskey. The cell phone service may be spotty and the waves may be rough, but every detail has been expertly planned and will be expertly executed.

But perfection is for plans, and people are all too human. As the champagne is popped and the festivities begin, resentments and petty jealousies begin to mingle with the reminiscences and well wishes. The groomsmen begin the drinking game from their school days. The bridesmaid not-so-accidentally ruins her dress. The bride’s oldest (male) friend gives an uncomfortably caring toast.

And then someone turns up dead. Who didn’t wish the happy couple well? And perhaps more important, why?

Local Woman Missing by Mary Kubica

People don’t just disappear without a trace…

Shelby Tebow is the first to go missing. Not long after, Meredith Dickey and her six-year-old daughter, Delilah, vanish just blocks away from where Shelby was last seen, striking fear into their once-peaceful community. Are these incidents connected? After an elusive search that yields more questions than answers, the case eventually goes cold.

Now, eleven years later, Delilah shockingly returns. Everyone wants to know what happened to her, but no one is prepared for what they’ll find…

The Housemaid by Freida McFadden

“Welcome to the family,” Nina Winchester says as I shake her elegant, manicured hand. I smile politely, gazing around the marble hallway. Working here is my last chance to start fresh. I can pretend to be whoever I like. But I’ll soon learn that the Winchesters’ secrets are far more dangerous than my own…

Every day I clean the Winchesters’ beautiful house top to bottom. I collect their daughter from school. And I cook a delicious meal for the whole family before heading up to eat alone in my tiny room on the top floor.

I try to ignore how Nina makes a mess just to watch me clean it up. How she tells strange lies about her own daughter. And how her husband Andrew seems more broken every day. But as I look into Andrew’s handsome brown eyes, so full of pain, it’s hard not to imagine what it would be like to live Nina’s life. The walk-in closet, the fancy car, the perfect husband.

I only try on one of Nina’s pristine white dresses once. Just to see what it’s like. But she soon finds out… and by the time I realize my attic bedroom door only locks from the outside, it’s far too late.

But I reassure myself: the Winchesters don’t know who I really am.

They don’t know what I’m capable of…

Thank you for reading my book club discussion questions & happy reading! ❤️